ENTRIES are now being accepted for this year’s North Lanarkshire Council Garden Awards.

The competition, open to all North Lanarkshire Council tenants, recognises the dedication, passion and hard work of people in nurturing gardens of all shapes and sizes.

Every year the number of people competing rises so a high number of entrants are predicted for 2012.

Mary Castles, the council’s executive director of housing, said: “Every year I’m astounded by the high level of gardening skill and imagination tenants use to maintain their gardens.

“This year’s awards are slightly different. For the first time, we’re asking tenants to submit their own entries rather than the usual nomination process where tenants put forward other gardens for recognition.

“In addition, we also have an award category for best communal garden.

“With the Beautiful Scotland Awards ceremony being held in North Lanarkshire this year, there is a real opportunity to highlight the area and the fantastic gardens which make such a difference to the look and feel of our communities.”

The search is now on to find the best garden in North Lanarkshire and with a closing date of Friday, July 20, there’s plenty of time to get your garden in shape and be in with a chance of scooping the top title of best garden in your area.

The competition is free to enter and is open to all North Lanarkshire council tenants. You can get your application form now from your local First Stop Shop or housing office.

The gardens will be judged on quality of floral display; quality of permanent planting; quality of design and use of space and contribution to the visual environment.